El Paso, Texas · Established 2011

Transformational learning through philosophy and the arts.

Empowering transformational learning for a more just society. Each of our programs runs inside an existing institution, which allows us to bring philosophical inquiry into a familiar space people are already a part of. Deep human connection. Philosophic inquiry. Conscientious decision-making.

Explore the four programs Read our story

A hand holding open a notebook to a page handwritten in Spanish, reading "Que te esté tomando más tiempo que otros, no significa que no vas a lograrlo." — Que te esté tomando más tiempo que otros, no significa que no vas a lograrlo. That it is taking you longer than others does not mean you will not get there. From a participant's notebook

Delivered with

All partners

In their words

“It is about the real value of education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge and everything to do with simple awareness. Awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over.”
From a participant's notebook

That was written by a program participant, in a notebook, during a session. We share participant writing because the people in our programs describe what this work means better than we can.

Programs

Four programs, each delivered with an established institution.

A federal courtroom in the Western District of Texas, with the court seal mounted above the bench and the United States and Texas flags beside it.

2011 Sendero, path Adelante, forward With United States District Court, Western District of Texas

Shadows to Light

A diversion and reentry program for people facing the federal justice system. Shadows to Light aims to reduce recidivism and promote successful community reintegration, combining cognitive behavioral therapy with training in mindfulness, deep thinking, and logic.

Elementary students sketching in notebooks around a large red steel sculpture in a gallery at the El Paso Museum of Art, several lying on the floor to draw.

2015 With El Paso Community Foundation and El Paso Independent School District

Artstream

Sparking curiosity at the intersections of classroom and community. Working together with public school districts, Artstream integrates creative arts, artists, and cultural organizations in ways that empower elementary grade students and beyond.

A page from a participant's notebook, handwritten in pen, working through the relationship between success, failure, and fear.

2022 With El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department

Lightstream

A higher learning program for teens in juvenile probation. Based on almost a decade of success in our Shadows to Light programming for adults, Lightstream is a full support program that centers resilience: the ability to thrive and grow despite adversity.

Two boys standing in front of a green screen set up outdoors at an El Paso public housing complex during a media workshop, in late afternoon light.

2020 With Housing Opportunity Management Enterprises (HOME)

Transformative Learning Communities

Youth in community build, design, explore, and transform. In partnership with HOME, El Paso's public housing authority, TLCs are community-centered youth development opportunities for juveniles and younger children in El Paso's public housing communities.

See how each program works

Partners

PSI works in meaningful partnership with:

El Paso Community Foundation

The Mellon Foundation

Western District of Texas, U.S. District Court

Housing Opportunity Management Enterprises

El Paso Independent School District

University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso Community College

County of El Paso, Texas, Juvenile Probation

Donate

Every dollar helps.

Thank you for considering a gift in support of our work. PSI is a supporting organization of the El Paso Community Foundation, which receives and administers every gift on our behalf.

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